The tapestry of the life of a medically complex family

Archive for the ‘Big Bro’ Category

College Freshman – how did THAT happen??

Saturday I dropped my eldest off at college. I moved him in to one of the smallest shared dorm rooms in history, on the ground floor of the “Geek dorm”. After FINALLY navigating the one way maze that led to the parking lot/unloading area, emptying the truck and moving things to the building went off smoothly. The room has CLEARLY not been updated since the 70’s when they added the lovely faux-woodgrain plastic laminate to the top of the permanently installed dresser. The new paint has splattered all the immovable furniture and sealed the “storage” area doors located ABOVE the closet alcoves – well, yes, 7+ feet in the air… convenience at its best!

My son washed down all the surfaces and began unloading while I moved my car to the longer term parking area. When unloaded the contrast was significant between his roommate’s ironed and hung “dress casual” wardrobe and my son’s sweatshirts hung on hooks off the side of the “medicine mirror” installed above his dresser. 2 pairs shorts, 3 pairs sweatpants, t-shirts and a supply of poptarts & vitamin water- the ESSENTIALS of college dorm life!

Leaving him there, I realized this is the first and ONLY time since Space Camp (2002) that I have left him somewhere that was not his Dad’s for the weekend. It feels strange but good, a reward for his growth and development, an upbringing. I am excited and nervous for him as he begins this part of his journey. I know he is going to be wonderful, I just hope HE knows it and can get through the challenges ahead to achieve the success I know will one day be his.

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Category:

Big Bro, kids

*Channeling*

I have to write again today because this week has been filled with moments to capture, moments to share, yet it has been FULL making it nearly impossible to get everything written down!

On Friday evening, my oldest spent his last night at home before heading to college Saturday. High school has been the usual up-and-down, back-and-forth, yin-yang that you get as a child attempts to reach a level of comfort with moving off on his own. He has always been good with his brother and sisters but this night was an exceptional one.

He had spent much of the day in his room, sleeping after being up late playing on his computer. When he came down, he came immediately into the playroom to hang out with his little sibs. We ordered dinner and moved to the kitchen for our last dinner before college and he sat there and chatted with the wee ones about their day, their favorite activities and the dinner they were eating.

Just after dinner, while I began getting ready to clean things up & ready everyone small for bed, he began answering his sister’s questions about traveling and airplanes. As he began explaining the “science” of flight, I realized I had stopped moving and was captivated by this boy, becoming a man, and channeling the grandfather whose alma mater he would attend as a student in the next week. I watched as he explained complex physics in words that could be understood by 4 year-olds. I obliged when he asked if he could use my computer to show the little ones pictures of the different airplanes he was telling them about. I smiled as he responded to each question generated with respect and enthusiasm- moving to helicopter topics when prompted by his brother. I wanted to record this, to capture this moment, to preserve it for eternity. I settled for leaning on the counter and LIVING and LOVING this moment- capturing it in my heart. ❤

Category:

Big Bro, kids, Twins